division
noun
di·vi·sion
də-ˈvi-zhən 
1
b
: the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number : distribution
2
: one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible
3
: the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest : disagreement, disunity
exploited the divisions between the two countries
4
a
: something that divides, separates, or marks off
b
: the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart : separation
5
: the mathematical operation of dividing something
6
a
: a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action
b
: a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usually three to five brigades
c(1)
: the basic naval administrative unit
(2)
: a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships
d
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force
7
a
: a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (such as administrative or judicial functions)
b
: an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
8
: the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question
9
: plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots
10
: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group
specifically
: a primary category of the plant kingdom in biological taxonomy that is typically equivalent to a phylum
11
: a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling)
Examples of division in a Sentence
the process of cell division
a division of profits into equal shares
After learning multiplication, the students were taught division.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the issue appears part of a larger concern the division is studying — the availability and affordability of homeowners’ insurance in Colorado.
—
Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
The division aims to optimize the company's supply chain and reduce operating expenses.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
The stark divisions in the country often played out just feet apart at Michigan precincts.
—Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
The Harris campaign reasons that there is a cross-partisan population of voters who differ on policy preferences but share a common exhaustion with the chaos, division, and demagoguery of Donald Trump.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for division 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
The division aims to optimize the company's supply chain and reduce operating expenses.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
The stark divisions in the country often played out just feet apart at Michigan precincts.
—Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
The Harris campaign reasons that there is a cross-partisan population of voters who differ on policy preferences but share a common exhaustion with the chaos, division, and demagoguery of Donald Trump.
—The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for division
Articles Related to division
Dictionary Entries Near division
Cite this Entry
“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/division. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
division
noun
di·vi·sion
də-ˈvizh-ən
1
a
: the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided
c
2
: a part or portion of a whole
3
: something that divides, separates, or marks off
4
: a large military unit
5
: a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
6
: difference in opinion or interest : disagreement
7
: the mathematical operation of dividing something
8
: a category in most classifications of the plant kingdom that is equal to a phylum
Medical Definition
division
noun
di·vi·sion
də-ˈvizh-ən
1
: the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided see cell division
2
: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group
specifically
: a primary category of the plant kingdom that is typically equivalent to a phylum
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share